Keep or return this shirtdress?

I bought the navy and white striped JCrew shirtdress and the green Boden shirtdress intending to only keep one. I decided on the Boden and have already worn it (so it’s staying). But now that it comes down to it, I’m having trouble letting go of the JCrew one. I think the only thing that is really bothering me about it is that I wish it were a bit longer.
I would love to hear your opinions on whether you think it's a keeper or if I should let it go.
Apologies for the poor quality of the photos (and the decapitation). I really need to get a full-length mirror.
Thanks for your help!

Links to dresses are below. Sorry, I'm not sure how add these to my Finds!

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us.....t=C1_S2_G4

https://www.jcrew.com/p/shops/.....white-navy

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4 years ago

Lesley

Veteran

They are both really nice! I can see why you'd want to keep both. I don't feel I want a longer hem, but then, I have been midi-resistant in some cases, so take it with a grain of salt...

Anonymous

The color works well on you, but it's probably the slit that's making the olive seem short. I like the shape of the JCrew more though.

I could absolutely justify keeping them both, they both look great and they don't seem redundant at all. Styled as simply as you're showing them here the self belting really does add some interest and softness and they both look super pretty on you.

Runcarla

Though the colour of the Boden is divine, I like the JCrew best. Lovely shape! Reminds be a bit of the '50's 'New Look'.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Here are the Finds.

KILLER x2. Keep both. They are very different.

J.Crew

Tie-waist shirtdress in stripe

View Info

Top Pick

Boden

Modern Shirt Dress

rachylou

What Angie said!

Jane

They both look super. You wear both beautifully.

Wow - what great dresses on you. And I think the length of the JCrew is just perfect as is.

Synne

Those are both stunning on you! You've already committed to the green dress, and it does indeed look gorgeous. Would there be many opportunities to wear both? Personally I wouldn't want two so similar dresses, mostly because I don't have many occasions to wear them. Secondly because I am being strict about keeping my wardrobe simple, organized and with clothes that actually get worn alot. Maybe you have good reasons to keep them both!

Another that supports keeping the J Crew dress. You wear it beautifully. It appears to be the perfect length for you too.

...... then I read Synne's comment above. As always she is right on target with her question. Do you believe that there are sufficient opportunities to wear both for your life style and climate?

Jenava

Oh, that j. crew is a must keep, it's made for you!

SarahD8

Yes, I agree that the j crew dress is gorgeous on you and not too short!

My questions are--

Can you think of any situation when you would choose the j crew dress over the olive dress?

Or, perhaps you want shirtdresses to be a signature look for this summer, something you would wear at least twice a week, giving plenty of opportunities to wear both?

Jaime

Both are gorgeous on you. I think the length of the J Crew looks perfect and I am a midi lover.

Bonnie

I would keep both, too. I like the length of the JCrew dress on you.

Greta

Active Member

Both look very nice! Though they are both shirt dresses, they are different. I think you have a case for keeping them both!

Glory

Another vote for keep both. They look fantastic on you.

Gigi

Definitely keep both. The hem on the first is where it needs to be, IMO. It flares out quite a bit at the bottom, and I think having it longer would make it bulky looking.

Adriana

I can understand your problem. Keep them both. They look fantastic.

RobinF

I also love both on you and think they are different enough to keep both. I agree with the questions though - would you wear both or split the wears?

About the length of #1, Lucy. I have two of those types of dresses from Nordies NAS last year, and they're longer. But the length on you here is gorgeous, so don't give it another thought!

Lucy

Thank you all so much for sharing your opinions and helping me make this decision!
I should have ample opportunity to wear both, as I live in Florida (long warm weather season) and work in a professional office with a business casual dress code.
My other concerns--besides the length, which Angie and the rest of you have waylaid my fears about--were that (1) it was too similar to the Boden dress and (2) they are both cotton, so I'll have to do some ironing.
But you have reassured me that it is different enough to justify keeping, and the ironing, well, I'll just have to suck it up and do it!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful opinions and kind words. This forum is just awesome, as are the people that participate in it!

They are very different - and you can send off to the cleaners if you want to. I do that with my versions:

Nordstrom

1901 1901 Midi Shirtdress (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

1901 1901 Stripe Midi Shirtdress (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

Karie

Oh I love the JCrew! Keep for sure!

Good idea, Angie! I really loved that how that 1901 dress looked on you. In fact I tried the navy, but it didn't feel quite right on me. It started me on the down the path that ended in these two dresses that I really like though!

Thanks, Karie!

I'm glad to hear your final resolution. I think it is a good decision. I also second sending them to the cleaners if it is cheap enough and convenient enough for you.

fifthandfinest

I really like the blue one with the brown leather belt - great contrast.

L'Abeille

So glad you're keeping the striped one too. And chuffed to see your rendition with the cognac leather belt and slipper flats. That's my favourite way to wear mine!

Bijou

Another keep vote, these are both beautiful on you.

StyleDetective

Keep both! They are both great on you, and both versatile pieces that you could get a lot of wear out of.

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